EP1315316B1 - Method for starting up a radio communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves a central station sending a signal message addressed to a first user, a repeater starting a delay timer, the user sending a response direct to the central station, the repeater sending a forwarding message to the user, the user sending a response via the repeater, repeating for other users, sending the repeater the addresses of all users that only sent indirect responses and activating it to connect to them. <??>The method involves the central station (Z) sending a signal message addressed to a first subscriber (Ti), the repeater (Rj) starting a delay timer on receiving the message, the subscriber sending a response direct to the central station, the repeater sending a forwarding message to the subscriber after a delay period, the subscriber sending a response via the repeater to the central station, sequentially repeating these steps for other subscribers and sending to the repeater the addresses of all subscribers that only sent an indirect response and activating the repeater to connect to and from these subscribers. <??>An Independent claim is also included for a repeater.

Description

The invention relates to a method for starting up a Radio communication system with a control center and a repeater as well as several participants.

In a radio communication system, a repeater becomes common used as a kind of relay station. This includes the Repeater a transmitting and receiving device, wherein the receiver received radio signals amplified and from the transmitter in the Usually be sent out on the same frequency again. repeater in particular in cellular radio networks for expansion the radio coverage, about to supply areas in radio shadow, as well as in industrial networks, for example used in automation technology. So allows a z. B. from DE 196 49 853 A1 known repeater the bidirectional amplification of radio signals in Uplink and downlink direction, the downlink signal being the signal coming from the central office of a radio network.

Usually gives a repeater, as long as he does not configure differently is, every received signal strengthened again. It However, it can not be generally assumed that each participant of the communication network exclusively indirectly accessible from the control center via the repeater is. Rather, the possibility to consider that between at least one participant and the central office Direct signal transmission even without repeater in sufficient Quality is given. In this case, one between the Central and subscriber switched repeater only to an unnecessary increase in the data flow and thus limits the data transmission capacity of the network. Around to avoid such an increase in the data flow, the Repeater usually configured by installing is determined for which connections within the Network of repeaters is needed. Exclusively at These connections, the repeater comes into operation. The corresponding, Manual configuration of the repeater However, it is labor intensive, taking into account is that transmission quality not only from the distance between transmitter and receiver, but for example also influenced by walls and fixtures in rooms becomes.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a particularly suitable method for the commissioning of a radio communication system with a central office and a repeater as well specify several participants.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. For this purpose, when commissioning the radio communication system or network from the central office the network subscribers each have a logon message sent. The network can be set up in free topology be. For example, it may have several called Central Include stations. Additionally or alternatively, the function the head office alternately from different participants be perceived.

The participant addressed in the logon message sends, if he receives this directly from the center, a response telegram back to the headquarters. The answer telegram contains information about the sending of this telegram Participants and beyond advantageously also an information about the transmission quality. To this Way can be detected easily and automatically in the control panel which participant directly, without repeater, of the Central can be addressed from.

In return, at the or each other participant is a indirect connection via the repeater needed. The repeater is at startup of the radio communication system first not configured. If the participant from the control center is directly accessible from the headquarters transmitted log-on telegram from the subscriber and the repeater received almost simultaneously. After receiving the log-on telegram is the participant from the response telegram or from Repeater sent a forwarding telegram to the participant. The forwarding telegram additionally comprises the content of the application telegram the address of the repeater as well also prefers information about the transmission quality.

To disrupt the signal transmission due to a simultaneous Data transfer between headquarters and participants as well between repeaters and headquarters and / or participants to avoid becomes the signal to be sent by the repeater - here the Forwarding telegram - from this with a specific one Delay sent. The delay time is preferably long compared to the signal delay selected. In this way On the one hand, for answer telegrams directly from the Participants are transmitted to the headquarters, and on the other hand for answer telegrams that are indirectly via the repeater sent to headquarters, not overlapping Time windows are specified, within which the signal input is expected in the central office.

From the information collected at the head office about the direct or indirect accessibility of the participants of the network are automatically data for the configuration of the repeater generated. The criterion of accessibility of a participant can reach a certain minimum signal intensity, the from the subscriber is to be coupled.

The described method is analogously also in multiple repeaters within a network. In In this case, participants who are not directly from the Central are accessible from, in each case several signal paths over One or more repeaters tested automatically. in this connection several repeaters can also be connected in series. If the transmission quality is detected, then several can a sufficient transmission quality bidding signal paths the signal path chosen for the repeater configuration which ensures the best transmission quality.

Are multiple possible signaling paths for the connection between one participant and the central office or between two Saved participants, so can one after transmission quality ordered ranking of the appropriate for the connection Signal paths are generated. Is during operation of the network after the commissioning process the generally prioritized Signal path z. B. due to a fault or overload not usable, it can be automatically set to the according to the Repeater configuration avoided the most suitable signal path become.

Are several repeaters arranged such that they are one of the Central sent telegram can receive directly, so receive this signal practically at the same time. Everyone who Repeater has the task, the signal for test purposes to the addressed participants of the network increasingly forwarded. To ensure this disturbances in the signal transmission exclude the telegram advantageously from the individual repeaters with different delay time forwarded. The different delay times will be in the case of at least three repeaters preferred chosen such that the sum of several delay times from any other delay time or one from delay times deviates from the sum made. This way will achieves that an answer telegram arriving at the control center already due to the time window in which it hits, clearly a one or more specific repeaters enclosing signal path can be assigned.

Are several repeaters connected in series on one signal path, so there would be the possibility of a telegram between to send two repeaters back and forth as often as you like. In similar Way could be at least three repeaters within one Network formed a ring-shaped closed signal path become. To such, the data stream between the headquarters and the participant or between several participants to exclude obstructive signaling pathways - so-called dead-locks - can be an automatic evaluation and selection of the telegrams received by a repeater take place. This is possible, because every repeater receives every telegram it receives before forwarding his own address appends.

A telegram is generally issued by a repeater once forwarded in uplink and downlink direction. Each additional forwarding of the same telegram can by simple automatic evaluation of the attached addresses be prevented. A repeater only manages those Telegrams continue, whose appendix has its own address at most in a definable limit number.

FIG. 1

schematisch den Aufbau eines Funkkommunikationssystems mit einer Zentrale sowie einer Anzahl von Teilnehmern und Repeatern,

FIG. 2

in einem Flussdiagramm eine Inbetriebnahme eines Funkkommunikationssystems, und

FIG. 3

in einer Diagrammdarstellung schematisch einen zeitversetzten Signaleingang in der Zentrale beim Empfang von Antworttelegrammen eines Teilnehmers.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

FIG. 1

FIG. 2 schematically shows the construction of a radio communication system with a control center and a number of subscribers and repeaters, FIG.

FIG. 2

in a flow chart commissioning a radio communication system, and

FIG. 3

schematically a time-shifted signal input in the center when receiving response telegrams of a subscriber in a diagram representation.

Corresponding parts are in all figures with the provided the same reference numerals.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the setup of a radio communication system 1 having a center Z, a number of m repeaters R _j (1 ≤ j ≤ m) and n subscribers T _i (1 ≤ i ≤ n). The individual stations - central Z, repeater R _j and subscribers T _i - of the radio communication system 1 are linked via links 2 to at least one other station.

The central station Z sends a log-on message ZP ₁ to the subscriber T ₁ . If the subscriber T ₁ receives the application telegram ZP ₁ , it sends back a response telegram TP ₁ to the central station Z. The answer telegram TP ₁ contains information about the reception quality and about the sender, namely the subscriber T ₁ . After receiving the response telegram TP ₁ by the center Z of the subscriber T _{1 is added} to a list L ₁ . The list L ₁ includes all subscribers T _i , which can be connected directly to the center Z. If it is not possible to set up a direct connection between the central station Z and the subscriber T ₁ , then the subscriber T _{1 is added} to a list L ₂ . List L ₂ comprises all subscribers T _i , which can be indirectly connected to central office Z via at least one repeater R _j .

Irrespective of the possibility of directly establishing a connection between the center Z and the subscriber T ₁ , the application telegram ZP _{1 is} also received by at least one repeater R _j . In the following, it is assumed that several repeaters R _j practically receive the application telegram ZP _{1 at the} same time. Each of these repeaters R _j depends on the application message ZP ₁ its own address and starts with the receipt of the application message ZP ₁ a timer with a predetermined delay time V _j . After expiration of the set delay time for him V _j, the repeater R _j sends a forwarding message from W _j1, directly or indirectly, via one or more additional repeaters R _j is received by the subscriber T. ₁ If the subscriber T _{1 can be reached} by different repeaters R _j , he receives the forwarding _telegram W _j1 in-with the exception of the appended addresses-identical form several times in succession due to the staggered delay times V _j . The subscriber T ₁ sends in each case an answer telegram TP _{1 back} to the center Z, from which the signal path emerges. In the list L ₂ , the repeater R _j or at least one indirect signal path between the center Z and the subscriber T _{1 is} detected.

The same procedure is subsequently repeated for the subscribers T ₂ to T _n . Each subscriber T _i is assigned to the list L ₁ , the list L ₂ or both lists L ₁ , L ₂ , whereby in the latter case the preferred allocation is characterized, in particular due to the transmission quality.

In the case of FIG. 1 illustrated communication network 1 with a central Z and three repeaters R ₁ to R ₃ and seven subscribers T ₁ to T ₇ , a subscriber example T _{6 considered} from the central Z preferred example below via a through the link 2 between the center Z and the Repeater R ₃ and further contacted via the link 2 between the repeater R ₃ and the subscriber T ₆ formed signal path. This signal path is saved as a default setting as part of the repeater configuration. Further alternative signal paths via the repeater R ₁ and via the series-connected repeaters R ₁ and R ₂ are, as indicated by dash-dotted lines, also possible and are considered as subordinate, z. B. in case of failure, to be selected signal paths also stored.

A multiple reciprocal transmission of a telegram ZP _i , TP _i, for example, between the repeaters R1 and R2 and a forwarding of a telegram ZP _i , TP _i on an annular closed signal path, which includes the repeaters R ₁ to R ₃ , is evaluated by evaluating the Telegram ZP _i , TP _i attached addresses excluded. Each telegram ZP _i , TP _i , which receives a repeater R _j , is forwarded by this only if the address of the repeater R _j the telegram ZP _i , TP _i is attached at most in one example, to the value of two settable limit number.

In FIG. 3 is a signal input when receiving a plurality of time-shifted answer telegrams TP _i in the center Z in the case of several conceivable signal paths between a subscriber T _i and the central Z illustrated. Various time window F _j, within which a response telegram TP _i, that at a time t = 0 the transmitted registration message ZP _i belongs is expected to result from the different, in each case via at least one repeater R _j produced signal paths. The delay times V _j , which determine the position of the illustrated time windows F ₁ to F ₃ , are chosen such that a sufficiently large time interval remains between the individual time windows F _j in each case, in order to enable a reliable association between signal path and time window F _j ,

In the time windows F ₁ and F ₃ signals are detected, which are symbolized representative of any sequence of individual signals as rectangular signals. For the use of a signal path, a minimum signal level P _{min is} assumed. Therefore, the signal path belonging to the time window F _{3 is} eliminated due to a too low signal level, while the signal path belonging to the time window F _{1 is} provided for the repeater configuration.

Thus, a radio communication system with a central Z, at least one repeater R _j and several participants T _{i is} given, at its commissioning, the center Z sends each a log-in message ZP _i to each participant T _i . A subscriber T _i can be reached via several signal paths from the central station Z, wherein one of the signal _paths includes the repeater R _j . A redundant signal path is eliminated by configuring the radio communication system 1 such that the repeater R _{j operates} only at the connection between transmitting and receiving stations T _i , Z where signal amplification is required. The configuration data is automatically generated, wherein in a start-up mode, a message addressed to a subscriber _i T registration message ZP _i R _j from the repeater time delay to the subscriber T _i is forwarded.

Claims (9)

1. Method for starting up a radio communications system (1) comprising a central station (Z) and a repeater (R_j) as well as a plurality of subscribers (T_i), said method comprising the following steps:

   a) the central station (Z) transmits a request registration message (ZP_i) addressed to a first subscriber (T_i),

   b) the request registration message (ZP_i) is received by the repeater (R_j), a delay timer with a predefinable delay time V_j being started,

   c) if the request registration message (ZP_i) transmitted by the central station (Z) is received directly by the subscriber (T_i), the latter sends a direct response message (TP1_i) to the central station (Z),

   d) following expiration of the delay time V_j, the repeater (R_j) sends a forwarding message (W_ji) to the subscriber (T_i),

   e) the subscriber (T_i) receives the forwarding message (W_ji) and sends an indirect response message (TP2_i) via the repeater (R_j) to the central station (Z),

   f) sequential repetition of the steps a) to e) for each further subscriber (T_i),

   g) transmission, to the repeater (R_j), of the addresses of all subscribers (T_i) that send only an indirect response message (TP2_i) to the central station, and activation of the repeater (R_j) only for connections from and to these subscribers (T_i).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the response message (TP_i) from the subscriber (T_i) contains information relating to the transmission quality.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the forwarding message (W_ji) from the repeater (R_j) contains information relating to the transmission quality.
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that a subscriber (T_i) is contacted from the central station (Z) via a plurality of signal paths comprising different repeaters (R_j).
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that a subscriber (T_i) is contacted from the central station (Z) via one signal path comprising a plurality of sequentially connected repeaters (R_j).
6. Method according to claim 4 or 5,
   characterized in that a plurality of possible signal paths for the connection between the central station (Z) and the subscriber (T_i) are ranked according to the respective transmission quality.
7. Method according to one of the claims 4 to 6,
   characterized in that two repeaters (R_j) are assigned different delay times (V_j).
8. Method according to one of the claims 4 to 7,
   characterized in that a repeated mutual sending of a message (ZP_i, W_ji, TP1_i, TP2_i) between two repeaters (R_j) as well as a forwarding of the message (ZP_i, W_ji, TP1_i, TP2_i) within a closed ring-shaped signal path formed by a plurality of repeaters (R_j) is precluded in that the address of a repeater (R_j) is appended to the message (ZP_i, W_ji, TP1_i, TP2_i) before the latter is forwarded by the repeater (R_j), the message (ZP_i, W_ji, TP1_i, TP2_i) being forwarded only if the number of the repeater (R_j) address appended at least once does not exceed a predefinable limit number.
9. Repeater (R_j) for use in a method according to one of the claims 1 to 8.

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